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Herpes diagnosis
I got what I believe to be a cold sore for the first time in December 2009. I have had one at least every six months in the same spot on the outside of my lip. They have classic herpes cold sore symptoms. In November 2010, I noticed a lesion, panicked, and got tested. The doctor said that there was nothing there to culture. He ran a blood test for chronic antibodies, which came back negative. I do not believe that the symptoms I had at the time were herpes. However, I was confused by the negative results based on my prior history of cold sores. On Sunday I had aching pain throughout my groin. Sunday night I noticed a lesion. It itched, it hurt, and it had fluid coming out of it. My first thought was that the oral herpes that I had was transferred to my genitals. The only other option was that the partner that I have been having sex with since December 2010 had given it to me. We are not monogamous. I have not slept with anyone else, but he has been sleeping with one other person. I got a culture test done and an acute blood test. After the testing another sore developed with the same symptoms. Both tests came back positive. I have to wait until Monday to find out the type. My doctor told me some things that I am confused about, which is where my questions come in.
1. She told me that she has never seen a chronic antibody test come back with a false negative. She said that she does not think that the cold sores that I have had are in fact cold sores. When I asked her what she thought they were she said she didn't know. I am certain they are cold sores. I have the tingling, itching, swelling, blistering, scabbing, etc. They are cold sores. Why would the test in November have come back negative? Would it have been a false negative or the antibodies were not yet present almost a year later or either?
2. When she looked at the lesion she said that if the test came back positive she would guess that I had been infected in the prior week or two. Is this accurate? Could I have contracted herpes at some time in the past and could just now be having a first outbreak?
3. How accurate are the culture tests? (Although I'm fairly certain it is herpes based on the symptoms)
4. She told me that the antibodies that show up in the acute blood test are there for ninety days, which would mean that if the cold sores that I have are herpes then I have both simplexes correct?
5. How accurate are the acute blood tests?
6. Is it possible to get a false positive on an acute blood test?
7. She told me that the chronic blood test shows antibodies that are present after the initial ninety days of infection. Is this correct?
8. I think the answer to this question should be clear, but I'm going to ask it anyway. If I was infected with simplex 1 on my mouth and became infected with simplex 1 on my genitals, would the acute test be positive?
My concerns at this point are to know which simplex I have where and whether or not this was given to me by my partner or was a preexisting problem. For obvious reasons I do not want to tell him he gave it to me if he didn't.
I know this was long-winded. Thanks for taking your time out to help me understand my diagnosis.
1. She told me that she has never seen a chronic antibody test come back with a false negative. She said that she does not think that the cold sores that I have had are in fact cold sores. When I asked her what she thought they were she said she didn't know. I am certain they are cold sores. I have the tingling, itching, swelling, blistering, scabbing, etc. They are cold sores. Why would the test in November have come back negative? Would it have been a false negative or the antibodies were not yet present almost a year later or either?
2. When she looked at the lesion she said that if the test came back positive she would guess that I had been infected in the prior week or two. Is this accurate? Could I have contracted herpes at some time in the past and could just now be having a first outbreak?
3. How accurate are the culture tests? (Although I'm fairly certain it is herpes based on the symptoms)
4. She told me that the antibodies that show up in the acute blood test are there for ninety days, which would mean that if the cold sores that I have are herpes then I have both simplexes correct?
5. How accurate are the acute blood tests?
6. Is it possible to get a false positive on an acute blood test?
7. She told me that the chronic blood test shows antibodies that are present after the initial ninety days of infection. Is this correct?
8. I think the answer to this question should be clear, but I'm going to ask it anyway. If I was infected with simplex 1 on my mouth and became infected with simplex 1 on my genitals, would the acute test be positive?
My concerns at this point are to know which simplex I have where and whether or not this was given to me by my partner or was a preexisting problem. For obvious reasons I do not want to tell him he gave it to me if he didn't.
I know this was long-winded. Thanks for taking your time out to help me understand my diagnosis.
your provider needs to stop doing the herpes igm tests! The current cdc recommendations are that it not be used on adults for the purpose of diagnosing herpes. they are doing their patients a huge disservice by diagnosing based on igm results.
both you and your partner should have type specific herpes igg blood testing done and go from there. the elisa based tests are the most commonly found ones in the US.
both you and your partner should have type specific herpes igg blood testing done and go from there. the elisa based tests are the most commonly found ones in the US.
That are known issues with false positives with the igg test, but before worrying about it your partner must actually get tested. When you get his results, you might post it here.
The igm test is flawed and should be disregarded. It would be best for you to wait for your swab results and ask your partner to get tested with the igg test, just to make sure you know his status.
The igm test is flawed and should be disregarded. It would be best for you to wait for your swab results and ask your partner to get tested with the igg test, just to make sure you know his status.
The igm test came back as hsv2. I am going to go back to get an igg test when I get health insurance. What are the incidences of false positives on an igg test (for my partner)? What is the likelihood that I could have been carrying hsv and just now had a genital outbreak?
Thanks,
Hannah
Thanks,
Hannah
Even the best herpes igg blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. Not unusual at all that you get cold sores but evidently tested negative on the type specific igg blood test.
your herpes culture of your genital symptoms was positive correct? Was it typed to know if it's hsv1 or hsv2? If you aren't sure, call specifically and ask. All herpes lesion cultures should be ordered type to be following CDC herpes testing standards.
you didn't transmit your oral herpes to your genital area. Just doesn't happen that way. Your body has built up significant protection against that happening.
At this point, your partner should seek out a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what his status is.
grace
your herpes culture of your genital symptoms was positive correct? Was it typed to know if it's hsv1 or hsv2? If you aren't sure, call specifically and ask. All herpes lesion cultures should be ordered type to be following CDC herpes testing standards.
you didn't transmit your oral herpes to your genital area. Just doesn't happen that way. Your body has built up significant protection against that happening.
At this point, your partner should seek out a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what his status is.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
